Kevin De Bruyne may have hinted that he wants to stay in the Premier League when he leaves Manchester City at the end of the season.
Last month the Belgian midfielder announced his decade-long stay at the club would come to an end when his contract expires this summer.
The 33-year-old revealed that City had not offered him a new deal, which came as a surprise to many after establishing himself as one of the greatest players to grace the English top flight, winning six league titles and the Champions League.
De Bruyne has missed large chunks of the season while recovering from an abdomen problem that caused him shooting pains. Now that he’s fully fit again he has been on a run of good form, which continued on Friday night when he scored the winning goal against Wolves.
“We found a way to win,” he told Sky Sports after the final whistle. “Now we can relax and see what the others do. It’s been a tough year, but we’re finding a bit of a groove to find the games we need to win.
“I’m just trying to play as good as I can. I know I’ve got one game left here, but I just try to do my job like I’ve always done. I’m proud of what I’m doing and that’s how it’s always been.”
Kevin De Bruyne drops hint on future amid MLS transfer links
De Bruyne says he does not know where he will end up next amid reports he could go across the water to MLS. Chicago Fire hold the player’s discovery rights, but he pointed out “I’ve showed I can still play here”, suggesting he wants to remain in the Premier League.
“A lot of team-mates have spoken to me, they’re sad also that I’m leaving but sometimes that’s how it goes in life,” De Bruyne said. “The way I’m performing and acting, is how everyone should be.
“I don’t know [what the future holds], unfortunately. I’ve showed I can still play here or I wouldn’t do what I’ve done in the last four or five weeks.”
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Former City full-back and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards said that, while it’s sad to see De Bruyne leave the club, he may no longer be suited for Pep Guardiola’s style of football.
“As a player, it’d be frustrating [not to get a new contract],” he said. “But it’s a great moment for him and he fully deserves it.
“His comments that he’s still good enough to play at the highest level, I think he is. The way City want to play, with a high press and winning the ball back as soon as possible, maybe that doesn’t suit him now.
“But he’s been a fantastic servant and I’ve loved watching him play.
“There’s not many mavericks left in football, but the quality he can bring, and what he has for most of the last 10 years, has been nothing short of remarkable.”
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